Looking for budget stays in Fort Lauderdale? This section is designed to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. We've got insider tips to help you find affordable hostels and the cheapest places to stay in Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale, located in southern Florida, north of Miami, is compared to Venice, Italy, because of its canal system. It’s popular with tourists for its attractive beaches, known collectively as the Fort Lauderdale Beachfront. Diversity characterizes the city, which also supports a substantial LGBT community. The city strives to attract a more refined visitor than the rowdy spring break crowd, but you can ignore this if you wish.
The hostels in Fort Lauderdale are all close to the beach; some even have their own pools and bars. You can find a hostel in Fort Lauderdale either near its downtown area or further south, closer to Miami. The prices of dorm rooms are pretty standard, and typically they don’t increase on the weekend. Additionally you may even be able to take a diving lesson or rent a jet ski through your hostel!
Fort Lauderdale’s main attractions are its beaches, the Florida Everglades, and the Riverwalk. A cheap way to get around is to take the Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley, which goes downtown and to the beaches. Or you could try renting a paddleboard. Shops and restaurants line the Downtown Riverwalk along with bars and art museums. Fort Lauderdale is less than an hour away from South Beach, but the city has several hip nightclubs and poolside clubs of its own in the downtown area. Some of these cater specifically to the LGBT crowd. If you want to explore the everglades, airboat tours are available at the Sawgrass Recreation Center and the Everglades Holiday Park.